Whiddon facility will be great for economy: Hogan

FEDERAL Member for Page Kevin Hogan was on hand at the first announcement of the Whiddon Group Grafton age-care facility expansion and is excited that construction has begun on the project.

FEDERAL Member for Page Kevin Hogan was on hand at the first announcement of the Whiddon Group Grafton age-care facility expansion and is excited that construction has begun on the project.

"This is a fantastic project for the Clarence Valley," Mr Hogan said. "It is wonderful news that construction has begun and that the Whiddon expansion will see the number of aged care beds in the Valley rise significantly.

"The Federal Government put forward $2.1 million in funding each year for the extra allocation of beds and that is an ongoing commitment for us."

Mr Hogan said the economic benefits for the Clarence Valley were fantastic and showed real potential for growth in the local economy.

"As I understand it there are meant to be at least 60 jobs on offer during the construction phase of this project," Mr Hogan said. "But not only that, there is meant to be about 100 jobs created because of the expansion.

"That would include the extra nurses staffed to deal with the increase of patients, but not only that. There will need to be extra gardeners, extra cooks, extra cleaners and extra maintenance staff.

"The potential effects of this major investment in the Clarence Valley is fantastic."

Originally published as Whiddon facility will be great for economy: Hogan